Thirty five years in the making according to the press blurb and what you have here is a Queen fans' (and collectors) dream!

This box set comprises the band's first twelve singles and an EP, each on a separate CD and each featuring a single sleeve from various countries around the world. I only have one quibble in that there is no lavish booklet in the box which could have given background to the singles releases, photos from the time etc.

All the singles are their original versions so many differ from the album versions or have a slightly different mix.

The music you can't fault and it is always interesting to see how the band's style developed through the years, only 'See What A Fool I've Been' sounds very dated and being honest isn't the best song the band have ever done.

Queen's first EP is a particular highlight as it takes one song from four of their albums and they are not always obvious choices like Roger Taylor's 'Tenement Funster', making for a perfect snapshot of the band's many musical talents.

A great start which covers the band's more rock and experimental 70's output before the 80's arrived and the band had even bigger singles chart success plus started to add synths, something they were always proud of stating on their album sleeves were not used in the making of an album.

There will be four box sets in all and rare tracks are promised as well - bring them on!

*****

Review by Jason Ritchie